# XI: Contains All Manner of Matters of Little Import and Great Imagination explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

> Chapter companion for The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

## What happens

Simplicissimus returns to Soest to find his servant captured by Hessians, who now believe him a sorcerer. He begins to act more arrogantly, spending lavishly on clothes and horses, alienating officers, nobles, and common soldiers alike. He invents a coat of arms with three red masks and a jester's crest, and attempts to court young ladies, though his lack of romantic skill draws mockery and enmity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folly and Wisdom

Simplicissimus's foolish pride and ostentation, contrasted with his self-awareness in choosing a jester crest to remind him of his origins.

### Deception and Appearance

Simplicissimus's false friends, his servant's lies about devils, and his own pretense of nobility through coat of arms and fine clothes.

## Character check-ins

### Simplicissimus

Returns to Soest, grows haughty, invents a coat of arms, and courts ladies despite his inexperience.

### The Huntsman of Soest

Flees from Lippstadt to the Hollanders after hearing of the devil trick in the sheepfold.

### Jump-i'-th'-field

Previously obtained a horse from a Hessian captain, which Simplicissimus now decks out.

## Key lines

> I began to behave myself somewhat more reputably than before, as having such fine hopes of presently being made ensign: so by degrees I joined company with officers and young noblemen that were eager for that office which I imagined I should soon get: for this reason these were my worst enemies, and yet gave themselves out to be my best friends.

I started acting more respectably because I expected to become an ensign soon, so I began associating with officers and young nobles who wanted the same position—they pretended to be my friends but were actually my worst enemies.

_Simplicissimus's naivety about the jealousy and deceit of his peers._

> I was not long pregnant with these thoughts, but had a coat-of-arms devised for me by a herald, which was three red masks in a white field, and for a crest, a bust of a young jester in a calfskin with a pair of hare's ears, adorned with little balls in front: for I thought this suited best with my name, being called Simplicissimus.

I quickly had a herald design a coat of arms for me: three red masks on a white background, topped with a young jester in calfskin and hare's ears with little balls, because it matched my name Simplicissimus.

_Simplicissimus invents a heraldic symbol that ironically acknowledges his foolish origins._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xi-contains-all-manner-of-matters-of-little-import-and-great-imagination
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters